As the highway that opened up the West to millions of travelers since its construction in the 1930s, Rte. 66 is an iconic road that has been celebrated in story, song, films, and more. Justly known as "The Mother Road," this highway became the vital path for travelers, tourists, and fortune-seekers. However, after the advent of the superhighway and the Interstate system of the 1950s, Rte. 66 gradually fell out of use, leaving behind fascinating relics of a bygone era—roadside attractions, marvelous kitsch, storefronts, and the great neon artifacts that still light up the night along the highway. Moore has traveled and photographed this road since he first drove it with his parents in the 1960s. Though he has covered this subject for more than 40 years as a professional photographer, never before has his work been collected in book form. This volume highlights 66 of his finest 35mm color film images—a stunning chronicle of this storied road in states from Missouri to California.More »

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 69:15am | PHOENIX | FAMILY EVENT | BABY TIME | Tom Leveen shares songs and activities to promote movement and playtime with toddlers and infants. Sharing stories, songs, rhymes, and activities with your little one while learning how having fun with letters, words, math, and science will help prepare your child for reading success and support healthy brain development! Also join us in Phoenix at 9:15am on Thursdays, December 13, 20, and 27.More »10am | PHOENIX | FAMILY EVENT | STORYTIME | Join us for interactive storytime for pre-schoolers and kindergarteners. More »5:30pm | TEMPE | GETTING INVOLVED 101 | Volunteer orientation with HandsOn Greater Phoenix. A one-time tax deductible activation donation of $25 applies to ages 19 and older. Info: 602.973.2212 x231 or handsonphoenix.org.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 77pm | TEMPE | HOWARD GERSHKOWITZ | THE OPERATOR | Local author and poet Howard Gershkowitz presents his independently published debut novel, a suspense-filled story about the struggle against greed and power in our nation's capitol. More »

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 810am-Noon | PHOENIX | FAMILY EVENT | STORYTIME AND PICTURES WITH THE GRINCH | Bring your camera and share a seat with Dr. Seuss' meanest and greenest creation, while a parent or friend (or Changing Hands bookseller) takes a holiday snapshot like no other. But be alert, in case Mr. Grinch tries to tip-toe away with your free treats while you're listening to How the Grinch Stole Christmas! More »1pm | PHOENIX | FAMILY EVENT | SILAS STARK | UM LAND | Six-year-old author Silas Stark shares his independently published debut. Follow Silas along as he discovers Um Land for the first time and learns how to go to Um Land to deal with different, real-life situations. Um Land book is for kids (well, really all people) to learn what to do when they get mad, frustrated, sad, "or feel any other emotion that hurts inside." More »3-4pm | TEMPE | TEEN EVENT | TEEN HOLIDAY BOOK SWAP | Our Teen Book Swap is back! Teens are encouraged to bring a favorite book from home (or purchase a copy at Changing Hands) to swap with a fellow book lover. We'll talk about why we love the books we love, and afterwards participants can select a book to take home! Presented by our Teen Advisory Board (T.A.B.).More »5:30-8:30pm | TEMPE | TAROT READINGS | Mystic Journeyz with Suzi Coggins. "Your Angels Are Waiting."Cost: $20 for 15 minutes. Registration at 480.730.0205. More info: mysticjourneyz.com.7pm | TEMPE | POETRY READING WITH TOLSUN PRESS | Vanessa Couto Johnson reads from pungent dins concentric, a book of prose poetry that Lyn Hejinian describes as "swirling [with] syntactic image structures that seem to be the outcome of critical attention to the strangeness of the world around us." Jennifer Battisti reads from Echo Bay, a book of poetry "rooted deeply in the body...but also untethered in their imagination." More »

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 91-3pm | PHOENIX | PIPER WRITERS STUDIO SHOWCASE | Join us in Phoenix for a community reading with Piper Writers Studio students and faculty. The event begins with a reception and social, followed by short readings from local authors. More »5-7pm | PHOENIX | FAMILY EVENT | PICTURES WITH THE GRINCH | Pictures with Santa are a cool holiday need, but pictures with the Grinch are cooler indeed! Bring your camera and share a seat with Dr. Seuss' meanest and greenest creation, while a parent or friend (or Changing Hands bookseller) takes a holiday snapshot like no other. More »

MONDAY, DECEMBER 106:30-9:30pm | PHOENIX | DRINK AND DRAW | First Draft Book Bar presents a night of drinking and drawing for all skill levels, featuring a local model for a three-hour pose. Bring your own supplies. Cost: $8. Registration at 602.274.0067 or online.More »6:30-8:30pm | TEMPE | POETRY ROUNDTABLE | Workshop one of your poems with a group of peers. More info: jedesign2004@yahoo.com.6:30-7:30pm | PHOENIX | MIND YOUR BUSINESS BOOK CLUB | YOUR BEST YEAR EVER | Join us for "Mind Your Business," a book club for business leaders, managers, entrepreneurs—anyone interested in the art and science of doing business! On the second Monday of each month, Javelina CEO Catherine Alonzo leads a discussion of a business book at Changing Hands Phoenix, home of our First Draft Book Bar. Ranging from how to build and scale a business to how to lead a team, you'll read business book classics as well as new hits. (And get a discount when you purchase the selection of the month at Changing Hands.) This month's book is Your Best Year Ever by Michael Hyatt. More »

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 117pm | PHOENIX | TERRENCE MOORE | 66 ON 66: A PHOTOGRAPHER'S JOURNEY | Photographer Terrence Moore signs copies of his monograph dedicated to the iconic Route 66. Rte. 66 is an iconic road that has been celebrated in story, song, films, and more. Justly known as "The Mother Road," this highway became the vital path for travelers, tourists, and fortune-seekers. However, after the advent of the superhighway and the Interstate system of the 1950s, Rte. 66 gradually fell out of use, leaving behind fascinating relics of a bygone era—roadside attractions, marvelous kitsch, storefronts, and the great neon artifacts that still light up the night along the highway. Moore has traveled and photographed this road since he first drove it with his parents in the 1960s. Though he has covered this subject for more than 40 years as a professional photographer, never before has his work been collected in book form. This volume highlights 66 of his finest 35mm color film images—a stunning chronicle of this storied road in states from Missouri to California. More »

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 139:15am | PHOENIX | FAMILY EVENT | BABY TIME | Tom Leveen shares songs and activities to promote movement and playtime with toddlers and infants. Sharing stories, songs, rhymes, and activities with your little one while learning how having fun with letters, words, math, and science will help prepare your child for reading success and support healthy brain development! Also join us in Phoenix at 9:15am on Thursdays, December 20, and 27.More »10am | PHOENIX | FAMILY EVENT | STORYTIME | Join us for interactive storytime for pre-schoolers and kindergarteners. More »

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 147pm | TEMPE | FRIDAY POETRY FEATURING JODIE HOLLANDER | MY DARK HORSES | Jodie Hollander reads from her debut full-length collection My Dark Horses. Set against the charms and vicissitudes of growing up in a family of musicians, it follows the story of a daughter's maturing relationship with her mother. Interspersed with versions of Rimbaud, and always alert to the surreal comedy of the human condition, these poems chart a complex journey towards familial understanding and reconciliation. Open reading follows.More »

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1511am-3pm | TEMPE | SUCCULENT PLANTING | Join us in Tempe for a Natural Life Succulent Planting Party! Select your choice of succulents and a variety of cheerful mugs from Natural Life. We'll provide all potting materials, a gift tag, and a cute Natural Life gift bag. Cost: $3 to $5 for your choice of succulent and $10-17 for your choice of planter mug.More »5:30-8:30pm | TEMPE | TAROT READINGS | James R. Betz offers advice on life, relationships, and career choices. Cost: $20 for 15 minutes. Registration at 480.730.0205. More info: 602.840.2222.

Changing Hands is more than a bookstore. We're also one of the best gift shops in the state, and now the nation!

“My son knows what girls can do, we have the Rebel Girls books, Women in Science, Rad Girls Can, some of his favorite books star young girls kicking butt and changing the world. Unfortunately, it's much harder for us to find stories of boys who are sensitive and don't choose to fight or bully their way out of trouble. For a sensitive kid with big feelings, it can be hard to figure out how to navigate the world, especially when most of the media they interact with replaces feelings with fighting. Stories for Boys Who Dare to Be Different gives boys real role models and helps teach even little kids that kindness, generosity, empathy, and thoughtfulness can change the world. I am so glad this book exists and I hope we see more like it.”—Heather

Through BUSINESS TO BUSINESS and EDUCATIONAL SALES, we offer competitive pricing for large quantity orders, author events designed specifically for your organization, themed events in our stores, personal bookselling services, and much more.